Her trust in God’s faithfulness is a steadfast reminder that we can approach the Lord with confidence, regardless of circumstance.
In this passage, a woman from the region of Shunem, located in the fertile Jezreel Valley in the northern part of ancient Israel, speaks to her husband. He questions her intention, saying, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor sabbath.” And she said, “It will be well.” (2 Kings 4:23). The husband’s remark shows he is puzzled by her urgency to visit the prophet on a day that was neither a feast nor a typical occasion for seeking prophetic counsel. The era of these events was in the ninth century BC, during the ministry of the prophet Elisha, who succeeded Elijah and performed numerous miracles through the power of God.
Her resolute reply, “It will be well” (2 Kings 4:23), reflects a deep trust in God’s ability to use His prophet to help her child. In the broader context, this woman had been miraculously given a son in her older years, and now, facing a dire situation, she was determined to lay her troubles before Elisha. While her husband’s confusion about the timing might seem practical or rooted in custom, her faith points beyond tradition. This confidence reminds us of later accounts in the New Testament, where persistent faith often precedes miraculous help from Jesus (see Luke 18:1-8).
Her husband’s words, “Why will you go to him today?” (2 Kings 4:23), also shed light on how people traditionally approached men of God at designated times or religious observances. New moons and sabbaths in ancient Israel were times set apart for communal worship or sacrifice. Yet, this woman’s boldness in seeking the prophet underscores that God’s help is not confined to special days. It also reveals the tension between cultural norms and the need to trust God at all times.
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2 Kings 4:23 meaning
In this passage, a woman from the region of Shunem, located in the fertile Jezreel Valley in the northern part of ancient Israel, speaks to her husband. He questions her intention, saying, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor sabbath.” And she said, “It will be well.” (2 Kings 4:23). The husband’s remark shows he is puzzled by her urgency to visit the prophet on a day that was neither a feast nor a typical occasion for seeking prophetic counsel. The era of these events was in the ninth century BC, during the ministry of the prophet Elisha, who succeeded Elijah and performed numerous miracles through the power of God.
Her resolute reply, “It will be well” (2 Kings 4:23), reflects a deep trust in God’s ability to use His prophet to help her child. In the broader context, this woman had been miraculously given a son in her older years, and now, facing a dire situation, she was determined to lay her troubles before Elisha. While her husband’s confusion about the timing might seem practical or rooted in custom, her faith points beyond tradition. This confidence reminds us of later accounts in the New Testament, where persistent faith often precedes miraculous help from Jesus (see Luke 18:1-8).
Her husband’s words, “Why will you go to him today?” (2 Kings 4:23), also shed light on how people traditionally approached men of God at designated times or religious observances. New moons and sabbaths in ancient Israel were times set apart for communal worship or sacrifice. Yet, this woman’s boldness in seeking the prophet underscores that God’s help is not confined to special days. It also reveals the tension between cultural norms and the need to trust God at all times.